as in extended family
the part of a family that includes only the father, mother, and children
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Recent Examples of nuclear family
However, the term dates back to the early- to mid-twentieth century, when the characteristics of a nuclear family were significantly different from today.
—
Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
In Hjorth’s recent books, these vexing others are not romantic partners but members of the narrator’s original nuclear family.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Our little nuclear family had become a noisy bunch.
—Alice Gregory, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
The national project of maintaining the white nuclear family, which has really been taken up in the 1940s as a way for certain political groups to organize, is able to find a lot of historical references in Minnesota that fit that narrative.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nuclear family
Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
In Hjorth’s recent books, these vexing others are not romantic partners but members of the narrator’s original nuclear family.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Our little nuclear family had become a noisy bunch.
—Alice Gregory, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
The national project of maintaining the white nuclear family, which has really been taken up in the 1940s as a way for certain political groups to organize, is able to find a lot of historical references in Minnesota that fit that narrative.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nuclear family
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuclear family
Noun
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While some of the Pedro Pan children had extended family members who could take them in, others moved into orphanages run by the Catholic Church.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
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The organization welcomed him with open arms and became his extended family.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In November 2021, Johnson brought his blended family together for the premiere of his film Red Notice.—
Kelsie Gibson,
Peoplemag,
8 Feb. 2023
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Dietrich, 36, is now a stay-at-home mother to her blended family of four teenagers and a 17-month-old.—
Megan Leonhardt,
Fortune,
3 Jan. 2023
Noun
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Wyatt cast background performers by region — Francophone Arabs, Alawites from Syria — for the movie’s hodgepodge representation of Arabian tribes.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
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Early cultures, including Native American tribes, looked to the heavens for time keeping, spiritual beliefs and navigation.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Khanna said the war will increase costs by $5,000 for American households.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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That is enough to power 118 million households.—
Jennifer McDermott,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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How Washington behaves vis-à-vis those deposits influences the process and reconfigures the balance within the Shia house.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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That high mark owes much to the city’s Ribeira district, which is home to picturesque houses with red terracotta roofs clustered along the Douro River.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In hindsight, this was NOT exactly a great idea for the clan.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Take a walk to Chew Jetty, a historic waterfront settlement of stilt houses built by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century; visit Little India, with its heady, culture-melding atmosphere; or make a day doing the rounds of clan temples (Khoo Kongsi included) and Peranakan mansions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul, per the logline.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
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Prosecutors allege that Shaknovsky instead removed Bryan’s liver — causing catastrophic blood loss and killing him.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That game was the capper to the big weekend that might have decided the rookie race.—
Schuyler Dixon,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Sunday, May 3 Manchester United vs Liverpool The Premier League season is reaching its conclusion, and away from the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool will contest the pick of the weekend’s games.—
The Athletic Live Team,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nuclear family.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuclear%20family. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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